This flexible and affordable tour is very convenient, yet it still provides the options to see all the highlights of St. Petersburg. The tour itself includes a visit to the Hermitage Museum, led by a knowledgeable and English speaking guide. After that, you can a la carte your day by choice. If you want to see the Peter & Paul Fortress, Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Church on Spilled Blood, or the St. Isaac's Cathedral, you simply add it on for $8 US per ticket. It won't be easy to decide which to choose, you might pick them all! Your St. Petersburg voyage starts early in the morning when you meet your guide outside the cruise ship terminal. Look for a "Tour De Force" sign being held up by a person in a green uniform. That's your guide!

The Hermitage Museum which is included in your tour, will be a great educational experience. This is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. It was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and has been open to the public since 1852. Your two hours guided tour visits display rooms with masterpieces by Da Vinci, Rafael, Monet, Rembrandt, and Renoir. Designed by Rastrelli, the Baroque Winter Palace boasts patterned parquet floors, ornate staircases, molded and decorated ceilings.

Your English speaking guide will be a great asset as he tours you around this monumental landmark. You will be in awe of the museum's beauty while be taught the history behind the legends.

If you pick the Peter and Paul Fortress, expect to experience the structure that was originally built to protect the city from Swedish attacks. The fortress eventually became Russia's Tower of London which kept political prisoners including Peter the Great's own son. This is an option ideal for anyone, and especially history buffs.

If you choose The Peter and Paul Cathedral, Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood or St. Isaac's Cathedral be prepared to be awe struck by their ornate magnificence. This is a memorable experience that will last you a lifetime. Be dazzled by the interior with its adorned gold, semiprecious stones, mosaics and oil paintings. The beauty of each is so extraordinary, you may choose to book all three.

PLEASE NOTE: Hermitage Museum is closed on 1s. Entrance fees or tickets are not included to Peter & Paul Cathedral, Church on Spilled Blood, St. Isaac's Cathedral (available for purchase day of tour - approximately $8 US per person/per attraction).

ALSO NOTE: that all of our tours in St. Petersburg are operated by authorized guides, and you therefore do not need to secure an independent visa in order to participate in this tour. However, in order to book this tour, you must provide us with full names, dates of birth, nationality, and passport numbers for each tour participant so that our guides can secure the proper tour visas on your behalf. Note also that, if you wish to explore St. Petersburg on your own while not accompanied by one of our guides, you will need to secure an independent visa.

Please be aware that cruise lines occasionally mislead passengers by telling them that they are not allowed to disembark the ship in St. Petersburg unless they are on an excursion purchased through the cruise line. In addition, the cruise lines also sometimes tell passengers that they cannot disembark the ship until the passengers on the cruise lines' excursions have done so first. This is incorrect, and you are free to exit the ship as soon as passengers start to disembark because Russian law states that a cruise ship cannot hold passengers onboard against their will as long as they have the proper documents. In order to clear immigration, you will need to bring along: 1) Your passport; 2) A photocopy of the picture page of your passport; and 3) A copy of your tour tickets. We will provide you with your tour tickets as part of the documents we e-mail to you after you make a tour booking.

Shore Excursion Size

Standard

Shore Excursion Type

Cultural, Scenic

Shore Excursion Duration

8 Hours

Activity Level

Moderate

Shore Excursion Leaves From

Cruise Ship Terminal

Food/Beverage Provided

Meal is available for purchase during the lunch break at a local restaurant.

Recommended Dress

Comfortable lightweight clothing and walking shoes is suitable for late Spring and Summer. But sweaters or jackets are highly recommended for the winter months. Umbrella is advised in case of rain.

Restrictions

Entrance tickets are not included, they available for purchase on site the day of the tour. Must be able to get in/out of vehicle and walk 1 mile a few times throughout the day. Not wheelchair accessible, but it is OK for walkers.

Reviewer: Julie Fujiwara MathewsWonderful tour. I felt special as I looked out the window at all the umbrellas waiting to go in the Hermitage. We had a little group of 9 and we went in a different entrance than the crowds so there was no waiting in the rain and we saw the same things everyone else did. There was even a cloakroom for our coats and umbrellas. So thankful that I booked this tour with you.

St Petersburg HighlightsMay 24, 2017

Reviewer: JulieGreat tour. As we were just a small group we drove by the crowd waiting in the rain to go into the Hermitage. Our tour guide jumped out of the small bus and got our tickets somewhere around the corner and we entered from the back with no wait time in the rain. There was a cloakroom there at that entrance and we started our tour. Great tour and I will use this company again

Tour guide was fantasticAugust 26, 2016

Reviewer: Sheryl Betancourt There was a lot to see in a short time and our tour guide made the most of our time. We were first in line to get on the Peter and Paul cathedral. She got is in through back doors at the heritage so we avoided the long lines and crowds. We hit the highlights very efficiently. We also had a small group which was a plus. She took is to a restaurant for what I thought was a great lunch- borsch, chicken Kiev and Russian vodka. I highly recommend

Tour guide was fantasticAugust 26, 2016

Reviewer: Sheryl Betancourt There was a lot to see in a short time and our tour guide made the most of our time. We were first in line to get on the Peter and Paul cathedral. She got is in through back doors at the herimitage so we avoided the long lines and crowds. We hit the highlights very efficiently. We also had a small group which was a plus. She took is to a restaurant for what I thought was a great lunch- borsch, chicken Kiev and Russian vodka. I highly recommend

Overview of St Petersburg August 07, 2016

Reviewer: Anne PattersonVery professional and informative tour. Picked this tour because it was the most reasonably priced of the outrageously priced tours in St Petersburg . The van was new and clean,the tour guide friendly and knowledgable which made our day trip quite enjoyable .